The Forgotten Image of Jesus, Part 2 – Luke 10:21-22

One view we have of Jesus is the suffering Christ, the man of sorrows portrayed in Isaiah 53, but here we see Jesus rejoicing greatly. This joy was exuberant and greater than a normal joy, an extreme elation that results in praise to the Father. The disciples were happy because they had driven out the demons (Luke 10:17) but Jesus’ joy came from their salvation, and their names were written in the Book of Life. This is a true and lasting source of joy. For this singular reason, Jesus was joyful and gave praise and glory to the Father. In contrast, many people claim to be Christian so salvation seems common which can explain why we are not so joyful with our own salvation. However, the only thing that is common is that we are all wretched sinners deserving punishment as the worst criminals. None of us deserve to know or receive God. Yet God is pleased to save us. Salvation was a mystery and unattainable. Everything else in this world is attainable (Mt 16:26) except for salvation. This is why Jesus is so joyful because now God was finally bestowing salvation through Him. How wonderful!

“All things have been handed over to Me by My Father (Luke 10:22)”. All things show there is no limit to the power of Jesus. All creation, all people, all truth, all righteousness, all victory, and all life are under the authority of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ power comes from His incarnation where He is God in flesh, fully man and fully God (Col 1:17,2:9). Jesus has the power of atonement through His righteous life, suffering, death, and resurrection (Hebrews 7:27). Jesus paid the price once and for all so that we no longer need to offer sacrifices or rely on a high priest. Jesus’ power gives every believer forgiveness, victory, and freedom from sin. The Christian is transformed by the power of Jesus Christ to live a holy life. The child of God enjoys the full blessings of salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Only in Jesus Christ can we experience the power and love of God.

“No one knows the Father except the Son.” The Son is mighty in knowing the Father. Knowing someone is not easy. Even after many years of marriage, husbands and wives can still argue because they don’t know each other, and old relationships are still ruined. No one knows the Father except the Son and the Son knows the Father perfectly. Also, no one knows the Son except the Father. None of us can know the Son unless God allows it (John 10:24-25). That is why it is such a privilege and grace to know Jesus. God has chosen Jesus His Son to represent Him because Jesus knows Him and His will. The Father’s will was for Jesus to die so that He might save us (John 2:17). Jesus knew He was sent to earth to die and He did it lovingly, willingly, and trustingly, knowing who the Father is (Luke 23:46).

Without knowing Jesus we cannot know the Father. We know who God is through Jesus. If we know Jesus, we know that Jesus and what He offers is the best. It is through the Bible, God’s Word, that we know Jesus, who He is, and what He has done (Hebrews 1:1-3, John 1:1). When we study and obey God’s word, then we are following Jesus by which we will know God (John 8:19).

“And anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him”. Jesus shows that no elect will be lost while He is the mediator of God’s will. This is similar to John 6:39 where Jesus claims He will lose nothing. Who does Jesus reveal the Father to? To the infants mentioned prior. To the infants whom the Son reveals, they come to Him (John 6:37).

Being born again means the Holy Spirit has regenerated our hearts. We have been made new and given a new life. How can you continue to pursue your idols when you have been chosen to know God? The true Christian is the redeemed, chosen before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before their God who saved them (Ephesians 1:4). The Christian no longer follows the plans of their sensuality and sin but can depend on the Father’s will for them. This is what brought Jesus joy.

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